Internal carving machine



P 15, 1953 M. SOLOFF INTERNAL CARVING MACHINE- 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 FiledMay 11, 1949 INVENTOR. NiGfonSolotZ a wgz M. SOLOF' F INTERNAL CARVINGMACHINE Sgpt. 15, 1953 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 11, 1949 HEEorrre IPatented Sept. 15, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Claims.

This invention relates to a machine and method for producing artisticand ornamental efiects by drilling within transparent plastic.

It has long been known that artistic representations of objects in threedimensions can be produced by drilling a cavity conforming to the shapeof the object within a transparent plastic memher. The drilled portion,when viewed from the outside of the block, appears to be the objectenclosed therein. Heretofore, this work has been done by hand in a timeconsuming and expensive manner.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a machine forautomaticallycarving a transparent plastic block so as to produce anornamental eifect therein.

Another object of this invention is to provide a machine forsimultaneously carving a plurality of transparent blocks.

A further object of this invention is to provide a machine for carving aplurality of plastic blocks which may be successfully operated byunskilled workers.

A feature of this invention is its novel vise cradle which enables thedesigns to be generated within the plastic.

Another feature of this invention is its multiple stage construction,which permits a plurality of identical designs to be formedsimultaneously.

A further feature of this invention is its completely automaticoperation which greatly speeds the cutting time required.

A feature of this invention is its novel cam operation which enablesthis machine to simulate hand carved objects.

The invention consists of the construction, combination and arrangementof parts, as herein illustrated, described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part hereof, is illustrated oneform of embodiment of this invention, in which drawings similarreference characters designate corresponding parts, and in which:

Figure l is a view. in side elevation of a, complete embodiment of theinternal carving machine, according to this invention.

Figure 2 is a horizontal sectional view taken on line 2--2 of Figure 1,looking in the direction indicated by the arrows.

Figure 3 is a horizontal sectional view taken on line 3-3 of Figure 1,looking in the direction indicated by the arrows.

Figure 4 is a. fragmentary view, somewhat enlarged, of a verticalsection, taken through the cradle assembly.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary sectional view, somewhat enlarged, of adrilled plastic'block, according to this invention.

Figure 6 is a view in perspective of the work holding mechanism.

Figure 7 is a diagrammatic top plan View of a flower carved within aplastic block, according to this invention.

Referring to the drawings, and particularly Figures 1 and 2, l0indicates a support member such as bench top upon which are mounted twospaced vertical columns H. A beam I2 is slidably mounted upon thecolumns II and normal thereto. The said beam I2 spans the distancebetween the columns H. Counterweights 13 secured to chains M areprovided at each end of the beam 2. The chains Hi are looped over andengaged by a sprocket wheel l5 which in turn is carried by a shaft itfreely turnable within pillow blocks ll upon the upper portion of eachof the columns H.

A pin i8 is secured to the shaft I6 at right angles to the longitudinalaxis thereof. The pin i8 is engaged by a push rod H! which is disposedin parallel alignment with the columns II, and extends through anopening 20 in the table [0.

Immediately below the table i ii, there is located a motor 2! having a,suitable gear reduction mechanism 22 connected thereto. A cam 23 issecured to the output shaft 24 of the gear reducticn mechanism 22. Thepush rod I9 rides upon the periphery of the cam 23 so that the rotationof the cam 23 is translated into a rotation of the shaft is and aconsequent raising and lowering of the beam if by the operation of thechains [4, sprockets l5 and counterweights [3.

A plurality of drilling stations 25 are provided upon the beam l2. Allof these stations 25 may be powered by a single motor 26 and belts 44,as shown in Figure l, or by individual motors, if desired. Suitablechucking devices 21 are provided to hold cutters 28 for machining thework parts 29.

The work parts 29, which may comprise any suitable transparent plastic,such as Lucite, are each held in a vise 30, best shown in Figures 3, 4,5. Each vise is rotatable through 360 by reason of being attached to aswiveled gear member 3i. All of the gears 3! are in mesh so that therotation of one of them as by the motor 32 and reduction gear 33 willturn them all.

The entire vise assembly is carried upon a crank-shaped cradle member34. Two spaced upright supports 35 are provided on the bench top ill forthe purpose of receiving the ends 35 of the cradle 34. The right handsupport 35 also carries a motor 31 and a reduction gear train 35. Alarge gear 39 is freely mounted upon the shaft 35 of the cradle 34 infront of the right hand upright 3'5. The gear 39 is provided with aplurality of openings (not shown) to receive the end of a pin 4|]. Thepin 40 is carried. in a bore ll in the cradle 34 so that as the motor3'! drives the gear train 38 which in turn rotates the large gear 39,the cradle 34 will be rotated through an arc of approximately The vises30, best shown in Figure 6, are so 3 constructed that the work part 29held therein will always be centered as the jaws are closed. It is alsonecessary to hold the work parts 29 so that their upper or drillingfaces at are in line with the pivotal axis of the cradle 34.

It has been found desirable to decrease the speed of the cradle 34 as itapproaches the upper portion of its swing. For this purpose a rheostat43 or suitabl means for slowing down the motor 37 may be provided,coupled to the large gear 39, as shown in Figures 1 and 3.

From the foregoing description of the carving mechanism, its operationmay be traced as follows: 7

The work pieces 29 are grasped firmly within the vises 39 and the drillmotor 25 started. The drills are allowed to cut into the work partsuntil the cam 23 raises them. The three motors 2|, 32 and 31 are startedand the carving of the design proceeds simultaneously in each of thework parts 29. The path of the cutters 29 is substantially helical as aresult of the circular and cradled action of the work holding mechanism.The depths of the cut at each stage of this helical travel is determinedby the shape of the cam 23. A wide variety of designs may be carved inthe above manner by changing the speeds of the motors and the shape ofthe cam 23. When the carriage 34 reaches the top of its travel, thecutters 28 are withdrawn from the work parts 29 and the motors 2!, 32and 3'! stopped. The pin 49 is withdrawn from its contact with the gear39 and the cradle 84 allowed to swing down to the bottom of its path.The fully carved pieces 29 then may be removed from the vises 39 andpolished. The face of the work piece 29 opposite that drilled willpermit the carved design 45 to be viewed, as shown in Figure 7.

It is within the purview of this invention to insert a vibrator 47between the elements of the push rod 19, as shown in Figure 1. Thevibrator 4? will impart a continuous motion to the pin it, which in turnwill result in a slight vertical movement of the cutters 28. Theresultant vertical movement of the cutters 28 will produce a, striatedeffect within the flowers, said effect giving them a more realisticappearance.

Having thus fully described the invention, what is claimed as new anddesired to be secured by Letters Patent of the United States, is:

l. A drilling machine comprising in combination a base support member, acolumn mounted upon said base, a tool support member slidable axiallywith respect to said column, means for moving the tool support axiallyof the column, a work support means mounted upon the base, a swingablecradle member below the tool support having the Work support meansrotatably secured thereto, means to swing said cradle through an arc,tool means on said tool sup port, means to simultaneously turn saidtool, rotate the work support and reciprocate the tool support in timedrelationship with each other and the cradle swing.

2. A drilling machine comprising in combina tion a base support member,a column mounted upon said base, a tool support member slidable axiallywith respect to said column, means including a power source, a camdriven by said power source and a link between the cam and tool supportfor moving the tool support axially of the column, a work support meansmounted upon the base, a swingable cradle member below the tool supporthaving the work support means rotatably secured thereto, means to swingsaid cradle through an arc, tool means on said tool support, means tosimultaneously turn said tool, rotate the work support and reciprocatethe tool support in timed relationship with each other and the cradleswing.

3. A drilling machine comprising in combination a base support member, acolumn mounted upon said base, a tool support member slidable axiallywith respect to said column, means for moving the tool support axiallyof the column, a work support means mounted upon the base, a swingablecradle member below the tool support having the work support meansrotatably secured thereto, means comprising a cradle power source and arheostat connected thereto to control the swing of said cradle throughan are, said rheostat being activated by the swing of the cradle member,tool means on said tool support, means to simultaneously turn said tool,rotate the work support and reciprocate the tool support in timedrelationship with each other and the cradle swing.

4. A drilling machine comprising in combination a base support member, acolumn mounted upon said base, a toolsupport member slidable axiallywith respect to said column, means including a power source, a camdriven by said power source and a link between the cam and tool supportfor moving the tool support axially of the column, a Work support meansmounted upon the base, a swingable cradle member below the tool supporthaving the work support means rotatably secured thereto, meanscomprising a cradle power source and a rheostat connected thereto tocontrol the swing of said cradle through an arc, said rheostat beingactivated by the swing of the cradle member, tool means on said toolsupport, means to simultaneously turn said tool, rotate the work supportand reciprocate the tool support in timed relationship with each otherand the cradle swing.

5. A drilling machine comprising in combination a base support member, acolumn mounted upon said base, a tool support member slidable axiallywith respect to said column, means for moving the tool support axiallyof the column, a work support means mounted upon the base, a swingablecradle member having a substantially U-shaped structure, said cradlebeing journaled at each end thereof below the tool support hav ing thework support means rotatably secured thereto, means to swing said cradlethrough an arc, tool means on said tool support, means to simultaneouslyturn said tool, rotate the work support and reciprocate the tool supportin timed relationship with each other and. the cradle swing.

MILTON SOLOF'F.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberName Date 128,596 Cottrell July 2, 1872 1,022,874 Riddell Apr. 9, 19121,046,394 Kolassa Dec. 3, 1912 1,191,595 Hewlett l- July 18, 19161,249,207 Ruff Dec. 4, 1917 2,283,469 Shepard May 19, 1942 2,307,407Imelmann Jan. 5, 1943 2,408,491 Strickland Oct. 1, 1946 FOREIGN PATENTSNumber Country Date 392,529 Germany Mar. 2, 1924 574,670 Great BritainJan. 15, 1946

